04-Dec-09: Rumours Emerge Over Renault’s Future

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Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 4th December 2009.

Today is all about news that isn’t quite news yet, as firstly, Autosport is reporting Renault are considering their options for the future. Apparently, Dave Richards has made a bid for the team and their entry, in the intent of finally making it into Formula 1 with his Prodrive brand. However, they have a rival in the form of businessman Gerard Lopez, who is putting together a bid through his company Genii Capital. It looks as though Renault are favouring the Prodrive option, but they are tempted by Lopez’s offer, as he is keen to keep the Renault Driver Development programme going in some form.

Also today, it was revealed that the BRDC – owners and managers of the Silverstone circuit – will be holding a press conference on Monday to announce the future of the British Grand Prix. Let’s hope this puts an end to the ongoing saga of the British race once and for all.

That’s all for today, have a fabulous weekend and please join me on Monday for another F1 Minute.

29-May-09: Teams Submit Entry to 2010 Season

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Welcome to F1 Minute for the 29th May 2009.

Lola has confirmed they have submitted an entry for the 2010 season but will say little else, whilst Dave Richards and Prodrive have also put their name down as well. Richards says that although the budget cap figure is going up and up, it is still within their grasp.

All the teams within FOTA submitted their entry for next year, with certain conditions. They have signed up as one unit, so that no team will be able to come and go either of their own or Max’s accord. The conditions are that a new Concorde Agreement is signed by the 12th June, and that the 2010 regulations are based on this year’s, with FOTA’s own cost cutting proposals included. Although they have signed up for next year, if Max forges ahead with any plans they don’t like, they may forfeit the season. We have yet to hear from the FIA, and entries close at midnight.

That’s it for now, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

23-Apr-09: Donington Park Suffers More Setbacks

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Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 23rd April.

We’ve been watching the progress of the Donington Park circuit closely and things have taken a turn for the worse. Legal proceedings have been issued against Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, the company that lease the track. Owners Wheatcroft & Son say that they are owed almost £2.5 million in rent since September 2008.

Meanwhile, Prodrive have popped their heads up again and boss Dave Richards has said 2010 might be the right time to join F1. He’s always maintained that he’d be interested in returning when the costs and rules suited him. Apparently that is next season. Although he could also be jumping on the bandwagon with USGP and Lola to grab a couple of headlines. Cynical, me?

Finally, in KERS news, Raikkonen won’t be running the device in Free Practice tomorrow whilst Massa will, so the team can compare the two. And BMW are expecting to run both cars with KERS through the whole weekend, so Kubica better start to like it.

That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.

08-Jan-09: Autosport International Day 1 Special

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Welcome to a special F1 Minute for the 8th January – Day 1 of Autosport International.

News from the stage today includes some small hints from Prodrive boss Dave Richards. He has been one of the names linked with the team formerly known as Honda since news of their sale first broke. However, today he told the crowds in Birmingham: “The cost-cutting process that has been put in place has not yet seen its full benefit, and I don’t think it will be until 2010 that you will see those issues roll out properly.” Autosport.com is reporting that sources say he is not interested in buying the team.

However, Nick Fry has buoyed hopes again by saying they are looking at offers from 12 parties, narrowed down from 30. That number just keeps going up and up!

Also at Autosport, the managing director of a new track in Spain – Motorland Aragon – has said they are hoping to secure F1 testing, despite knowing with two Grands Prix already, the chances of another Spanish race are pretty slim.

That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with more from the trade show.

17-Dec-08: Prodrive Boss Indicates Desire to Return

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Welcome to F1 Minute for the 17th December 2008.

Prodrive boss Dave Richards has indicated that the new cost-cutting regulations may mean his team can enter the sport. Prodrive were intended to arrive on the grid this year but couldn’t make it work. Now Richards says: “I have always said there are two criteria for Prodrive’s return to Formula One: one, we want to be competitive, and two, it must be financially viable. If we tick those two boxes there is a strong likelihood we will be back there.”

Elsewhere, Vettel has finally ended Buemi’s run at the top of the testing timesheets. He finished ahead of his Red Bull compatriot at the final Jerez test day of the year. BMW were third fastest, still working on their KERS device, although they did suffer a setback with a suspected fire.

Finally, ex-Williams sponsor Lenovo have announced they’ll be partnering with McLaren from 2009. The deal sees Lenovo providing “mission-critical computing solutions.”

That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.

28-Jan-08: Vettel Happy to Start Season in Old Car

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This is F1 Minute for the 28^th January 2008.

Sebastian Vettel thinks that starting the season with his old car might not be such a bad thing. Speaking to Formula1.com, Vettel said he felt comfortable in the old car and happy in the knowledge that whilst others are struggling with teething problems in their new machines, he will have a car he knows very well. There is no specific date for the launch of the new car, but it’s expected that it will appear after three or four races.

Prodrive boss David Richards isn’t joining F1 this year, but is still having his say about things that may affect the sport in the future. Talking of the proposed budget caps idea, Richards believes that the plan is simply an excuse for poor technical regulations. He says he’s seen the scheme attempted and failed in Australia, and as a team boss, he wouldn’t want to go back to being an accountant again.

And very quickly to finish, two snippets from Max Mosley: He says the sport will be stronger for the controversial 2007 season, and despite speculation, he believes teams will not be able to get round the standard ECU.

That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

10-Jan-08: Wurz Returns to F1 with Honda

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It’s the 10^th January 2008, and this is F1 Minute.

Alex Wurz has come out of retirement to sign for Honda as third driver this year. Wurz retired from racing at the end of last year, to be replaced at Williams by Nakajima. However, lured by working with Ross Brawn, Wurz has joined the team to help develop the car.

Force India held an event in India to officially confirm Fisichella as their number one driver, with Adrian Sutil as team mate, and Tonio Liuzzi as test driver. Fisichella was quick to point out that this was not his only opportunity, but the best one.

Toyota launched their 2008 contender this morning, in Cologne. The drivers and management were present, with everyone pretty much admitting the pressure is on to get some results after a disappointing 2007.

And very quickly, the Autosport International show has started today in Birmingham, and an interesting snippet comes from Dave Richards, who has said that customer cars are looking really unlikely, and therefore Prodrive’s plans are basically scuppered.

That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

08-Jan-08: All Teams Look to the Future

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Today is the 8^th January 2008, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute.

Today is a day for looking forward. Super Aguri have announced they will be launching their new car in February. It will be revealed and take to the track in Barcelona on the 19^th.

Force India have announced they will be confirming their second driver on Thursday. Pitpass reports they have an incredibly reliable source telling them that Fisichella has been signed, with Tonio Liuzzi as the test driver. Only a few more days and then we’ll know for sure.

McLaren test driver Gary Paffett is looking to 2009 for a chance of a race drive, hoping that Prodrive will be able to get on the grid by then. He says he was very disappointed when Prodrive had to withdraw their 2008 entry, as he felt the links between McLaren and the new team worked in his favour.

Both Ron Dennis and Luca di Montezemolo have been talking up their competitiveness for the season ahead. Dennis was optimistic, saying he couldn’t wait to build on the momentum of last year. Montezemolo was a little more realistic saying the new rules would make things tough but he’s still feeling confident.

That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

05-Dec-07: Hamilton Fastest on Jerez Day Two

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This is F1 Minute for the 5^th December 2007.

Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest time over the second day at Jerez, despite running off track in the early hours. David Coulthard was just behind him, beating two Ferraris and de la Rosa in the other McLaren. Fisichella was in the Force India car again, but was beaten a couple of places by Klien in the sister car. There were four red flags brought about by Heidfeld, Vettel, Webber and Rosberg.

Away from the track, Max Mosley has been setting the record straight regarding engines and Prodrive.  Firstly, he believes the ten year engine freeze will be beneficial to both manufacturers and sponsors alike. He said the idea should appeal to sponsors especially, because they are aware of the need for an environmental conscience, and Formula 1 needs to be seen doing its bit.

Mosley has also confirmed that he cannot guarantee Prodrive’s entry for 2009, because of the ongoing legal complications. Ordinarily, their entry would be renewed automatically, but with no Concorde Agreement in sight, and their forfeit of the seat this time round, it looks like they will have to submit an entry all over again.

That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

23-Nov-07: Prodrive Won’t Race in 2008

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It’s the 23^rd November 2007, this is F1 Minute, and these are your top headlines for today.

Prodrive have said they will not be participating in the 2008 championship after last minute legal battles. A statement from the team said that they were disappointed at the challenges they faced with the Concorde Agreement, especially as their plans to use a customer car had been public knowledge for a year beforehand. Prodrive do intend to enter Formula 1 at some stage though, when an agreement can finally be reached.

Also in the news today, teams have been complaining about what they see as underhanded tactics from Honda. In the recent test at Barcelona, Super Aguri tested out some new, young drivers, apparently on Honda’s behalf. This means that Honda could continue using up their own testing miles for the data, and let Super Aguri use up their miles on the drivers.

Finally, details of a legal document given to the FIA by McLaren reveal they believe Renault did benefit from having their information. The document also revealed McLaren are unhappy with some of the submissions from Renault engineers, believing them to be misleading.

That’s all for today, have a great weekend, and join me on Monday for another F1 Minute.

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